Millimeters to Inches Conversion Calculator
Symbol: mm (millimeters), in (inches)
What they are:
The millimeter is a metric unit of length equal to one thousandth of a meter, while the inch is a unit of length in the imperial and US customary systems, traditionally defined as 1/12 of a foot.
Conversion Facts:
- 1 millimeter = 0.03937008 inches
- 1 inch = 25.4 millimeters
- 10 mm ≈ 0.394 inches
- 100 mm ≈ 3.937 inches
Conversion Result
Use the converter above to calculate different values and units
What are Length Measurements?
Length measurements are fundamental units used to quantify distance, size, and dimensions. Millimeters (mm) and inches (in) are two of the most commonly used units for small-scale measurements in the metric and imperial systems respectively.
The millimeter belongs to the International System of Units (SI) and is precisely defined, while the inch has been standardized internationally as exactly 25.4 millimeters since 1959. This standardization ensures consistent conversions between these systems worldwide.
Learn more from Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) or NIST.
Common Millimeters to Inches Conversions
Millimeters (mm) | Inches (in) | Common Reference |
---|---|---|
1 | 0.039 | Thickness of a credit card |
5 | 0.197 | Standard pencil diameter |
10 | 0.394 | Width of a standard staple |
25.4 | 1 | Exact equivalent of 1 inch |
50 | 1.969 | Width of a golf ball |
100 | 3.937 | Standard photo width |
150 | 5.906 | Smartphone width (approx.) |
304.8 | 12 | Standard ruler (1 foot) |
Practical Use Cases
- DIY Projects: Converting measurements between metric and imperial tools, fasteners, and materials
- Engineering & Manufacturing: Reading international blueprints and specifications that use different measurement systems
- Electronics: Working with component sizes, PCB dimensions, and display sizes often given in millimeters or inches
- Crafting & Sewing: Following patterns from different regions that specify dimensions in different units
- Medical Applications: Converting between measurement systems for medical devices and imaging
- Academic & Scientific Work: Converting measurements for international research and publications
Educational Resource
This educational video explains the relationship between millimeters and inches and demonstrates how to convert between these units with practical examples and applications.
Conversion Tools
Download Conversion Chart (PDF)Get our comprehensive millimeters to inches conversion chart for quick reference when you're offline.
Millimeters to Inches Conversion FAQs
Find answers to common questions about converting between millimeters and inches.